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Become a Hindu Priest Irrespective of Caste or Gender from Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Rajasthan Sanskrit University

If you have passed your senior higher secondary exams, then you can become a Hindu Priest by joining the one-year diploma course offered by Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Rajasthan Sanskrit University in Rajasthan, India. Traditionally, Hindu priests are males from Brahmin community. This highly commendable new initiative will break the monopoly of Hindu priesthood and take it to other sections of the Hindu society.

The fee for the one-year diploma course is Rs 2,500 and admission would begin in July 2009. Classes will commence from August 2009. The classes have been divided into two semesters.

The course is designed by the Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Rajasthan Sanskrit University and would have theory and practicals as well as audio-visual demonstrations of Hindu religious ceremonies. The theory paper contains lessons in various religious practices required from the time a devout Hindu is born until he/she dies.

Anindo Dey Reports in Times of India

‘Most priests who perform wedding and other religious ceremonies often do not pronounce the slokas correctly. Our audio-visual classes will assist in correct pronunciations. There are examples galore of the Hanuman Chalisa being recited on weddings. The new course would help produce priests who know the correct procedures,’' said Yugal Kishore Mishra, vice-chancellor of the university.

‘This time, each centre under the university teaching the course would have 50 seats. However, depending on the demand, the centre would have the discretion to increase the number of seats by 10,’ adds Mishra

‘This is a unique attempt, one that would help youth not only connect with Sanskrit but also get employment. After their courses, the students would be placed in one of the temples managed by the state government, many of which don't have priests,’ said transport minister of the State of Rajasthan, who also looks after Sanskrit education and devasthan (religious endowments) department.

In fact, priests are scarce and there's a constant demand of priests from abroad. Priesthood students would be eligible for employment not only in the country but also abroad, Sharma added.

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